Top 10 FA Cup Matches of All Time: High Scoring Games

Since it first began nearly 150 years ago, the FA Cup has been the stage for some incredible matches that have become an iconic part of English football’s heritage replayed countless times on televisions all over the world. The following list of FA Cup games, in our opinion are the ‘Top 10 Matches of All Time’ and great examples of the magic that this famous competition can weave when it is least expected.

10. Arsenal vs Manchester United (1979, FA Cup Final)

Venue: Wembley, London (Attendance: 99,219)

Match Referee: Ron Challis (Kent)

Arsenal

3 – 2

Manchester United

Talbot 12’

McQueen 86’

Stapleton 43'

McIlroy 88'

Sunderland 89'

Line-ups:

Blackpool

Bolton Wanderers

GK

1

Pat Jennings

GK

1

Gary Bailey

RB

2

Pat Rice (c)

RB

2

Jimmy Nicholl

LB

3

Sammy Nelson

LB

3

Arthur Albiston

CM

4

Brian Talbot

CM

4

Sammy McIlroy

CB

5

David O'Leary

CB

5

Gordon McQueen

CB

6

Willie Young

CB

6

Martin Buchan (c)

RM

7

Liam Brady

RM

7

Steve Coppell

CF

8

Alan Sunderland

CF

8

Jimmy Greenhoff

CF

9

Frank Stapleton

CF

9

Joe Jordan

CM

10

David Price

CM

10

Lou Macari

LM

11

Graham Rix

LM

11

Mickey Thomas

Subs:

DF

12

Steve Walford

DF

12

Brian Greenhoff

Managers:

Terry Neill

Dave Sexton

Match Summary

The final match on this rundown of the 'Top 10 Best FA Cup Matches of All Time' is also broadly regarded as the most exciting finish to an FA Cup Final that has ever taken place hence it's tagline as 'The Five-Minute Final'. Arsenal and Manchester United have always had an undertone of a fierce rivalry throughout their histories so when they met in the 1979 match at Wembley, the watching world was expecting sparks to fly. Unfortunately, neither side could really get a grip on the game but The Gunners somehow found themselves 2 – 0 to the good at half-time with goals from Talbot and Irish talisman Frank Stapleton. However, when McQueen pulled a goal back for The Red Devils in the 86th minute, the match suddenly exploded into life. A dramatic equaliser followed less than two minutes later when McIlroy dribbled past a couple of Arsenal players to put the Manchester United fans into joyous celebrations and dreaming of a winning goal or extra-time. The unexpected happened though as a great dribble from Liam Brady split straight through the now adrenaline-fuelled United midfield to set up Rix for a cross from the left that Alan Sunderland poked into Bailey's nets to unbelievably give Arsenal a last-minute winning goal. It was a breathless ending that is forever remembered by FA Cup aficionados and aptly completes this list of the best FA Cup matches.

9. Blackpool vs Bolton Wanderers (1953, FA CUP Final)

Venue: Wembley, London (Attendance: 100,000 approx.)

Match Referee: B. M. Griffiths (Newport)

Blackpool

4 – 3

Bolton Wanderers

Mortensen 35’, 68', 89'

Lofthouse 2’

Perry 90 +2'

Moir 39’

Bell 55'

Line-ups:

Blackpool

Bolton Wanderers

GK

1

George Farm

GK

1

Stan Hanson

RB

2

Eddie Shimwell

RB

2

John Ball

LB

3

Tommy Garrett

LB

3

Ralph Banks

RH

4

Ewan Fenton

RH

4

Johnny Wheeler

CH

5

Harry Johnston (c)

CH

5

Malcolm Barrass

LH

6

Cyril Robinson

LH

6

Eric Bell

OR

7

Stanley Matthews

OR

7

Doug Holden

IR

8

Ernie Taylor

IR

8

Willie Moir

CF

9

Stan Mortensen

CF

9

Nat Lofthouse

IL

10

Jackie Mudie

IL

10

Harold Hassall

OL

11

Bill Perry

OL

11

Bobby Langton

Subs:

N/A

N/A

Managers:

Joe Smith

Bill Ridding

Match Summary

One of the most famous FA Cup Final's of all time, 'The Matthews Final' is still fondly remembered nowadays and will always have a place in the greatest matches ever played. It was a seven-goal epic that had it all - the only FA Cup final to feature a hat-trick, the first football match attended by the reigning monarch Elizabeth II, a last minute equaliser and an injury-time winner, the first football match considered for a major TV audience – but is known in the majority for the performance of Blackpool winger Stanley Matthews. The famous winger inspired his Blackpool team to come back from 3 – 1 down to win 4 – 3 and finally claim the trophy after being on the runners-up side twice in the previous five years. Stan Mortensen's second goal of his three was laid on a plate to him after a terrific cross from Matthews before Mortensen's free-kick in the 89th minute equalised for Blackpool. With only seconds remaining, Matthews teased his way down the right wing, as he had done so many times in his career, and delivered the perfect cross for Bill Perry to score the winning goal with a low shot into the Bolton net. Apparently, even in defeat, Bolton's star striker Nat Lofthouse (who scored the opening goal of the final) stood and applauded Matthews for the virtuoso display of skills he showed in claiming the title for his beloved Blackpool.

8. Tottenham Hotspur vs Leeds United (2010, FA Cup Fourth Round)

Venue: White Hart Lane, London (Attendance: 35,750)

Match Referee:Alan Wiley (Staffordshire)

Tottenham Hotspur

2 – 2

Leeds United

Crouch 42'

Beckford 52', 90 +6' (pen.)

Pavlyuchenko 75'

Line-ups:

Tottenham Hotspur

Leeds United

GK

1

Heurelho Gomes

GK

1

Casper Ankergren

RB

2

Alan Hutton

RB

2

Jason Crowe

LB

3

Gareth Bale

CB

3

Patrick Kisnorbo

CB

19

Sebastian Bassong

CB

26

Leigh Bromby

CB

20

Michael Dawson (c)

DM

5

Michael Doyle

CM

8

Jermaine Jenas

CM

8

Neil Kilkenny

CM

14

Luka Modric

CM

14

Jonny Howson (c)

RM

21

Niko Kranjcar

CM

16

Bradley Johnson

LM

25

Danny Rose

LB

22

Andrew Hughes

CF

15

Peter Crouch

CF

9

Jermaine Beckford

CF

18

Jermaine Defoe

LF

23

Robert Snodgrass

Subs:

GK

27

Ben Alnwick

GK

36

Alan Martin

DF

16

Kyle Naughton

DF

17

Lubo Michalik

DF

30

Dorian Dervite

DF

32

Aidan White

MF

12

Wilson Palacios

MF

7

David Prutton

MF

24

Jamie O'Hara

MF

18

Andy Robinson

CF

9

Roman Pavlyuchenko

CF

10

Luciano Becchio

CF

10

Robbie Keane

FW

13

Mike Grella

Managers:

Harry Redknapp

Simon Grayson

Match Summary

After sensationally knocking out Manchester United at Old Trafford in the Third Round of 2010, Leeds United's reward was an equally tough tie at high-flying Tottenham Hotspur in the Fourth Round of the FA Cup that year. Simon Grayson's League One team were ranked forty-one places below Spurs in league terms but had one of the country's in-form strikers, Jermaine Beckford, and some talented youngsters in their side. Likewise, Spurs had their own stars in future Real Madrid 'galacticos' Gareth Bale and Luke Modric and ran Leeds ragged in the first half to be one-nil up through Crouch's goal. A vociferous away support were giving Leeds a 'twelth man' mentality however and they equalised soon after the break when that man Beckford scrambled in a close-range goal. Counter-attack after counter-attack came from Redknapp's side so Ankergren had to be at his best to make saves from Defoe and Modric before Pavlyuchenko struck to put Spurs ahead. Leeds were not done though and amazingly took the tie to a replay when Beckford smashed in a superb penalty in the 6th minute of stoppage time in front of the Yorkshire fans who celebrated wildly as it was virtually the last kick of the match. The match between Spurs and Leeds has been discussed for decades amoungst both sets of fans on many social blogs and forums including www.sportstalksocial.com and www.spurscommunity.co.uk

7. Sheffield Wednesday vs Sheffield United (1993, FA Cup Semi-Final)

Venue: Wembley, London (Attendance: 75,364)

Match Referee: Kelvin Morton (Suffolk)

Sheffield Wednesday

2 – 1 (a.e.t)

Sheffield United

Waddle 2’

Cork 44’

Bright 108'

Line-ups:

Sheffield Wednesday

Sheffield United

GK

1

Chris Woods

GK

1

Alan Kelly

DF

2

Roland Nilsson

DF

2

Kevin Gage

DF

3

Nigel Worthington

DF

3

Dane Whitehouse

MF

4

Carlton Palmer

MF

4

John Gannon

DF

5

John Harkes

DF

5

Brian Gayle (c)

DF

6

Viv Anderson (c)

DF

6

John Pemberton

MF

7

Danny Wilson

MF

7

Franz Carr

MF

8

Chris Waddle

MF

8

Mitch Ward

CF

9

Paul Warhurst

CF

9

Alan Cork

CF

10

Mark Bright

CF

10

Brian Deane

MF

11

John Sheridan

MF

11

Glyn Hodges

Subs:

FW

12

David Hirst

MF

12

Jamie Hoyland

MF

14

Graham Hyde

FW

14

Adrian Littlejohn

Managers:

Trevor Francis

Dave Bassett

Match Summary

The 'Steel City' derby between Wednesday and United was always a feisty affair as you would expect from a city that had two major clubs. In 1993 though it took on a new significance as both teams from Sheffield went on fantastic FA Cup runs before fate took control and they were ominously drawn against each other in the Semi-Final. Due to an obviously high demand for tickets, the FA changed the venue of the match from Leeds' Elland Road to Wembley and were not disappointed as it staged one of the most colourful and atmospheric matches of the 90s. After only two minutes, Wednesday's 'wing wizard' Waddle scored a sublime curling 30-yard free-kick before The Blades even had to chance to settle down. United equalised just before half-time when bearded veteran Alan Cork snuck a shot under Woods as the red and white half of Wembley willed the ball to cross the line and into the net. The match was played at a frentic pace but neither side could grab a winner so it went into extra-time where striker Mark Bright popped up in the 108th minute with a near-post header to send The Owls fans crazy. Wednesday held on to book their place in the final whilst Bassett's Blades could only hold their heads high after a heroic effort fell just short.

6. Sutton United vs Coventry City (1989, FA Cup Third Round)

Venue: Borough Sports Ground, London (Attendance: 8,000 approx.)

Match Referee: Alf Buksh (London)

Sutton United

2 – 1

Coventry City

Rains 42’

Phillips 52’

Hanlan 59'

Line-ups:

Sutton United

Coventry City

GK

1

Trevor Roffey

GK

1

Steve Ogrizovic

DF

2

Robin Jones

DF

2

Brian Borrows

DF

3

Tony Rains (c)

DF

3

David Phillips

DF

4

Nigel Golley

DF

4

Steve Sedgley

DF

5

Vernon Pratt

DF

5

Brian Kilcline (c)

MF

6

Paul Rogers

DF

6

Trevor Peake

MF

7

Mickey Stephens

MF

7

Dave Bennett

MF

8

Phil Dawson

MF

8

David Speedie

FW

9

Lennie Dennis

FW

9

Cyrille Regis

FW

10

Paul McKinnon

FW

10

Lloyd McGrath

MF

11

Matthew Hanlan

MF

11

David Smith

Subs:

DF

12

Steve Bangs

FW

12

Keith Houchen

Managers:

Barrie Williams

John Sillett

Match Summary

It is a very rare occurrence in the FA Cup for a non-league team to have the tactical nous, resources, playing talent, fitness and fortune to be able to beat a league team. It is virtually impossible for this to happen when the league team in question is from the top division in domestic football. It did though, and still does, happen occasionally when the 'magic' is in the air and one of the most famous of these times was when lowly Sutton United beat First Division Coventry City in 1989. Coventry themselves had been the underdogs when they amazingly won the cup just nineteen months prior but when Sutton captain Tony Rains headed the Conference team into a one-nil lead, The Sky Blues started to panic. Parity was restored in the second half as Phillips equalised to give the away fans cause to breathe a sigh of relief. Just minutes later however, the magic came to into play as Hanlan struck from close range to give United the lead again. An onslaught from Coventry ensued but Sutton 'keeper Roffey made a series of great saves before the match was over and a celebratory pitch invasion was filmed by the onlooking television cameras to be archived in the annals of FA Cup giantkillings.

5. Manchester City vs Wigan Athletic (2013, FA Cup Final)

Venue: Wembley, London (Attendance: 86,254)

Match Referee: Andre Marriner (West Midlands)

Manchester City

0 – 1

Wigan Athletic

Watson 90 +1'

Line-ups:

Manchester City

Wigan Athletic

GK

1

Joe Hart

GK

1

Joel Robles

RB

5

Pablo Zabaleta

RB

17

Emmerson Boyce (c)

CB

4

Vincent Kompany (c)

CB

33

Paul Scharner

CB

33

Matija Nastasic

CB

3

Antolin Alcaraz

LB

22

Gael Clichy

LB

18

Roger Espinoza

RM

21

David Silva

RM

4

James McCarthy

CM

42

Yaya Toure

CM

16

James McArthur

CM

18

Gareth Barry

LM

14

Jordi Gomez

LM

8

Samir Nasri

RF

15

Callum McManaman

CF

16

Sergio Aguero

CF

2

Arouna Kone

CF

32

Carlos Tevez

LF

10

Shaun Maloney

Subs:

GK

30

Costel Pantilimon

GK

26

Ali Al-Habsi

DF

6

Joleon Lescott

DF

5

Gary Caldwell

DF

13

Aleksandar Kolarov

DF

25

Roman Golobart

MF

7

James Milner

MF

8

Ben Watson

MF

14

Javi Garcia

MF

20

Fraser Fyvie

MF

17

Jack Rodwell

FW

9

Franco Di Santo

FW

10

Edin Dzeko

FW

11

Angelo Henriquez

Managers:

Robert Mancini

Roberto Martinez

Match Summary

In recent years the 'blue half of Manchester' has become a force to be reckoned with in English football as their wealthy Arab ownership has seen Manchester City injected with investment on an unprecedented level. So when they found themselves pitted against plucky Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup Final in 2013, the City fans must have thought it would be a straightforward victory. However, Roberto Martinez's men had other ideas. Straight from kick-off, The Latics shocked City with a magnificent display of counter-attack passing, strong hold-up play and passion in droves. Their young English winger, Callum McManaman, provided one of the best individual displays ever seen at Wembley as he frightened the City defence time and time again with his direct attacking style. Despite a host of chances for Wigan, Man City were strong enough to keep the match at 0 – 0 until the very last minute when substitute Ben Watson headed the ball into Joe Hart's net from a Maloney corner. The Wigan fans were in raptures as they won their first ever major trophy whilst neutral fans were also delighted after watching one of the best FA Cup Finals of modern times.

4. Crystal Palace vs Liverpool (1990, FA Cup Semi-Final)

Venue: Villa Park, Birmingham (Attendance: 38,389)

Match Referee: George Courtney (County Durham)

Crystal Palace

4 – 3 (a.e.t)

Liverpool

Bright 46’

Rush 14’

O'Reilly 70'

McMahon 81’

Gray 88'

Barnes 83' (pen.)

Pardew 109'

Line-ups:

Crystal Palace

Liverpool

GK

1

Nigel Martyn

GK

1

Bruce Grobbelaar

DF

2

John Pemberton

RB

2

Glenn Hysen

DF

3

Richard Shaw

LB

3

David Burrows

MF

4

Andy Gray

CB

4

Gary Gillespie

DF

5

Gary O'Reilly

MF

5

Ronnie Whelan

DF

6

Andy Thorn

CB

6

Alan Hansen (c)

MF

7

Phil Barber

MF

7

Peter Beardsley

MF

8

Geoff Thomas (c)

MF

8

Ray Houghton

CF

9

Mark Bright

CF

9

Ian Rush

MF

10

John Salako

MF

10

John Barnes

MF

11

Alan Pardew

MF

11

Steve McMahon

Subs:

FW

12

Ian Wright

MF

12

Barry Venison

DF

14

David Madden

DF

14

Steve Staunton

Managers:

Steve Coppell

Kenny Dalglish

Match Summary

Earlier on in the 1989-1990 First Division season, Liverpool's multi-talented team had dismantled Crystal Palace with a devastating 9 – 0 victory at Anfield against the newly-promoted South London club. One can assuredly say that this embarassing result must have weighed heavily in the minds of The Eagles' players in the build-up to the famous FA Cup Semi-Final clash at Villa Park in 1990. Welsh striking superstar Ian Rush had given Liverpool a 1 – 0 lead at half-time but the fireworks only truly started when the whistle blew for the start of the second half. Buoyed by an early equaliser by Bright after the break, Palace took a dream 2 – 1 lead in the 70th minute through O'Reilly but were soon transported into a nightmare when Liverpool rallied to go 3 – 2 up with only ten minutes remaining. Using a huge chunk of positive mental attitude, Coppell's team never gave up the match and grabbed a last-minute equaliser as an Andy Gray header took the match into extra-time. As both sides toiled on a hot day in Birmingham, it was Alan Pardew who headed the seventh and decisive goal of the game in the 109th minute to earn Palace their first ever trip to Wembley and sweet vengeance. This match was recently featured as one of the top high scoring FA Cup matches at the Scorum website and highlights of this unbelievable semi final match can be found at the BBC website.

3. Colchester United vs Leeds United (1971, FA Cup Fifth Round)

Venue: Layer Road, Colchester (Attendance: 16,000 approx.)

Match Referee: D. Lydon (Birmingham)

Colchester United

3 – 2

Leeds United

Crawford 18’, 25'

Hunter 60’

Simmons 55'

Giles 73’

Line-ups:

Colchester United

Leeds United

GK

1

Graham Smith

GK

1

Gary Sprake

DF

2

Brian Hall

RB

2

Paul Reaney

DF

3

Bobby Cram (c)

LB

3

Terry Cooper

DF

4

John Gilchrist

MF

4

Mick Bates

DF

5

Brian Garvey

CB

5

Jack Charlton (c)

MF

6

John Kurila

CB

6

Norman Hunter

MF

7

Brian Lewis

MF

7

Peter Lorimer

FW

8

Dave Simmons

CF

8

Allan Clarke

MF

9

Mick Mahon

CF

9

Mick Jones

CF

10

Ray Crawford

MF

10

Johnny Giles

MF

11

Brian Gibbs

MF

11

Paul Madeley

Subs:

DF

12

Micky Cook

FW

12

Rod Belfitt

Managers:

Dick Graham

Don Revie

Match Summary

Some of the best known 'Giant Killings' in FA Cup history have involved Leeds United, usually adversely, and perhaps the biggest of them all came in the 1971 Fifth Round at Colchester United of the Fourth Division of English football. When the draw was made, the famous Leeds team of the 60s/70s were typically fighting for the First Division Championship and nobody in their right mind would have thought for one second that they could be beaten by a lower-division club in that era. In Ray Crawford however, Colchester had a striker of real pedigree who had played at the highest level earlier in his career and had a healthy goalscoring record against the West Yorkshire club. So when he headed one goal and swept in another goal after only 25 minutes played, the alarm bells started in earnest that the Essex club could be about to make history. In a match where Colchester's long-ball tactic wreaked havoc in Leeds' penalty area, mainly due to goalkeeper Gary Sprake's eccentric handling of crosses, it became 3 – 0 soon into the second half through Simmons' goal. A late fightback from the deeply wounded Goliaths brought the scoreline back to 3 – 2 but Colchester held on to secure their 'David status' as legendary FA Cup giantkillers.

2. Liverpool vs West Ham United (2006, FA CUP Final)

Venue: Millenium Stadium, Cardiff (Attendance: 71,140)

Match Referee: Alan Wiley (Staffordshire)

Liverpool

3 – 3 (a.e.t)

West Ham United

Cisse 32’

Carragher 21' (o.g.)

Gerrard 54’, 90 +1'

Ashton 28'

Konchesky 63'

Penalties (3 – 1)

Hamman (Score)

Zamora (Miss)

Hyypia (Miss)

Sheringham (Score)

Gerrard (Score)

Konchesky (Miss)

Riise (Score)

Ferdinand (Miss)

Line-ups:

Liverpool

West Ham United

GK

25

Pepe Reina

GK

32

Shaka Hislop

RB

3

Steve Finnan

RB

2

Lionel Scaloni

CB

23

Jamie Carragher

CB

5

Anton Ferdinand

CB

4

Sami Hyypia

CB

4

Danny Gabbidon

LB

6

John Arne Riise

LB

3

Paul Konchesky

RM

8

Steven Gerrard (c)

RM

15

Yossi Benayoun

CM

14

Xabi Alonso

CM

20

Nigel Reo-Coker (c)

CM

22

Mohamed Sissoko

CM

6

Carl Fletcher

LM

7

Harry Kewell

LM

11

Matthew Etherington

CF

15

Peter Crouch

CF

10

Marlon Harewood

CF

9

Djibril Cisse

CF

9

Dean Ashton

Subs:

GK

1

Jerzy Dudek

GK

23

Jimmy Walker

DF

2

Jan Kromkamp

DF

7

Christian Dailly

DF

21

Djimi Traore

DF

19

James Collins

MF

16

Dietmar Hamann

FW

8

Teddy Sheringham

FW

19

Fernando Morientes

FW

25

Bobby Zamora

Managers:

Rafael Benitez

Alan Pardew

Match Summary

Playing at Wales' National Stadium in Cardiff - The Millenium Stadium - for the last time of six years in a row due to the rebuilding of Wembley, the 2006 FA Cup Final is now widely regarded as 'The Gerrard Final', and for good reason. This thrilling match was decided on penalties for only the second time in the competition's history but it was the 90 +1 minutes prior to extra-time that the fans of both Liverpool and West Ham will remember it for. The East London club were 2 – 0 up and cruising before Gerrard's fantastic long-range pass found Cisse to pull a goal back before half-time. Liverpool equalised in the 54th minute when Gerrard ran onto a headed knock down to thrash the ball into the top corner of West Ham's net on the half-volley. The match then turned back into The Hammers' favour when Konchesky's cross from the left was over-hit and luckily looped over Reina to give West Ham the lead at 3 – 2. It stayed that scoreline all the way up to the 90th minute when inspirational captain Gerrard scored one of the most sensational injury-time goals of all time with a 35-yard thunderbolt to equalise and break the hearts of West Ham fans everywhere. Liverpool's Pepe Reina would go on to save three penalties in the shootout but it was Gerrard who was the uneqivocal man-of-the-match in this enthralling final. The match was featured in the youtube.com as a top 10 high scoring FA Cup matches of the modern day.

1. Coventry City vs Tottenham Hotspur (1987, FA CUP Final)

Venue: Wembley, London (Attendance: 96,000 approx.)

Match Referee: Neil Midgley (Manchester)

Coventry City

3 – 2 (a.e.t)

Tottenham Hotspur

Bennett 8’

Mabbutt 40’

Houchen 62’

Mabbutt 95’ (o.g.)

Line-ups:

Coventry City

Tottenham Hotspur

GK

1

Steve Ogrizovic

GK

1

Ray Clemence

RB

2

David Phillips

RB

2

Chris Hughton

LB

3

Greg Downs

LB

3

Mitchell Thomas

MF

4

Lloyd McGrath

MF

4

Steve Hodge

CB

5

Brian Kilcline (c)

CB

5

Richard Gough (c)

CB

6

Trevor Peake

CB

6

Gary Mabbutt

MF

7

Dave Bennett

CF

7

Clive Allen

MF

8

Micky Gynn

MF

8

Paul Allen

CF

9

Cyrille Regis

MF

9

Chris Waddle

CF

10

Keith Houchen

MF

10

Glenn Hoddle

MF

11

Nick Pickering

MF

11

Ossie Ardiles

Subs:

MF

12

Steve Sedgley

FW

12

Nico Claesen

DF

14

Graham Rodger

DF

14

Gary Stevens

Managers:

John Sillett/George Curtis

David Pleat

Match Summary

Stating that it was “the finest Cup Final I’ve had the pleasure of commentating on”, BBC commentator John Motson appeared to speaking on behalf of the watching masses who witnessed 1987’s five-goal thriller between the underdogs Coventry City and hot favourites Spurs. From the first minute to the last, the match was played at a high tempo with plenty of exciting wing play and goalscoring opportunities as Tottenham twice took the lead with their skilful team of international footballers. Coventry City could not boast about having a line-up with as much talent but the spirited performance that they provided in their first ever domestic Cup Final brought them back to level terms twice. The second equaliser was of particular note as Keith Houchen scored it with a sensational diving header just after the hour mark and it gave 'The Sky Blues' the momentum needed to take the game to extra-time. When a Gary Mabbutt own-goal handed Coventry the lead just minutes into the extra-time period, City kept their stamina to stay in front all the way to the final whistle whilst Waddle, Hoddle, Ardiles and the rest of the Spurs superstars lost their impetus. Coventry captain Brian Kilcline lifted the cup to loud cheers from his club's fans as one of the great shocks in FA Cup history happened on a memorable sunny day in North-West London.